METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PREDICTING THE ATTAINABLE BITRATE OF A TELECOMMUNICATION LINE

Abstract

 Embodiments relate to a method for determining a prediction (PredBR_ij) of an attainable bitrate on at least one second telecommunication line (5), executed by a prediction device (2), comprising:
- obtaining (S1) operational parameters (OP_ij) of at least one first telecommunication line (5) while the first telecommunication line (5) is used with an origin Digital Subscriber Line technology, and
- determining (S2) a prediction (PredBR_ij) of the attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line (5) with a target Digital Subscriber line technology, in function of the operational parameters (OP_ij) of the least one first telecommunication line,
- after the first telecommunication line (5) has been upgraded from the origin Digital Subscriber line technology to the target Digital Subscriber line technology, obtaining (S3) a measure of the attainable bitrate (BR_ij) of the at least one first telecommunication line (5),
- obtaining (S1) operational parameters (OP_ij) of at least one second telecommunication line (5) while the second telecommunication line (5) is used with the origin Digital Subscriber Line technology,
- determining (S2) a prediction (PredBR_ij) of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line (5) with the target Digital Subscriber Line technology, in function of the operational parameters (OP_ij) of the least one second telecommunication line (5) and of the prediction (PredBR_(i-l)j) of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate (BR_(i-l)j) of the at least one first telecommunication line (5).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and a device for predicting the attainable bitrate of a telecommunication line after upgrading from an origin DSL technology to a target DSL technology.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Various Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technologies have been proposed. The old DSL technologies like ADSL, ADSL2 or ADSL2+ are bit by bit replaced by newer technologies such as VDSL2, Vectoring and upcoming Vplus or G.fast standards. The upgrade operation of the DSL technology to another is a very delicate operation because it must be performed without impacting the quality of service. The DSL operator must quantify reliably the gain of bitrate achievable thanks to the new technology before proposing the upgrade to the customer.

[0003] It has been proposed to predict the attainable bitrate of a DSL line, starting from an original DSL technology to a new target DSL technology, in function of collected operational parameters of the line and of on some assumptions about the environment of the line (noise level, physical characteristic of the line, theoretical models, modem properties ...) usually referred as "expert settings". However, these assumptions may be correct for some lines and less for others, or verified for an operator and approximated for another.

[0004] For this reason and before predicting attainable bitrates on a large scale, DSL operators usually perform a field trial. These validation tests consist of comparing the predicted attainable bitrates on a limited number of lines, with the attainable bitrate after a real physical upgrade to the same target technology using the same configuration. Often, an expert must achieve a tuning of some expert settings so that the comparison is satisfactory. This means that an adaptation of the prediction assumptions must be done to meet the operator environment and constraints. These validation tests generates some delay and human resources efforts.

SUMMARY

[0005] It is thus an object of embodiments of the present invention to propose methods and devices for predicting the attainable bitrate of a telecommunication line, which do not show the inherent shortcomings of the prior art.

[0006] Accordingly, embodiments relate to a method for determining a prediction of an attainable bitrate on at least one second telecommunication line, executed by a prediction device, comprising:

• obtaining operational parameters of at least one first telecommunication line while the first telecommunication line is used with an origin Digital Subscriber Line technology, and
• determining a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line with a target Digital Subscriber line technology, in function of the operational parameters of the least one first telecommunication line,
• after the first telecommunication line has been upgraded from the origin Digital Subscriber line technology to the target Digital Subscriber line technology, obtaining a measure of the attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line,
• obtaining operational parameters of at least one second telecommunication line while the second telecommunication line is used with the origin Digital Subscriber Line technology,
• determining a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line with the target Digital Subscriber Line technology, in function of the operational parameters of the least one second telecommunication line and of the prediction of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line.

[0007] Correspondingly, embodiments relate to a prediction device for determining a prediction of an attainable bitrate on at least one second telecommunication line, comprising:

• means for obtaining operational parameters of at least one first telecommunication line while the first telecommunication line is used with an origin Digital Subscriber Line technology, and
• means for determining a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line with a target Digital Subscriber line technology, in function of the operational parameters of the least one first telecommunication line,
• means for obtaining a measure of the attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line after the first telecommunication line has been upgraded from the origin Digital Subscriber line technology to the target Digital Subscriber line technology,
• means for obtaining operational parameters of at least one second telecommunication line while the second telecommunication line is used with the origin Digital Subscriber Line technology,
• means for determining a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line with the target Digital Subscriber Line technology, in function of the operational parameters of the least one second telecommunication line and of the prediction of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line.

[0008] Accordingly, since the prediction for a second telecommunication line takes into account a comparison of the predicted and measured attainable bitrates for a first telecommunication lines, the quality of the prediction may be improved.

[0009] The method may comprise iterating the step of determining a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line for successive groups of at least one telecommunication line.

[0010] In some embodiments, determining a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line comprises:

• determining a correction in function of the difference between the prediction of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line,
• determining an estimate of prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line,
• substracting the correction from the estimate.

[0011] In some embodiments, determining a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line comprises:

• adapting a prediction algorithm in function the prediction of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line, by changing at least one prediction parameter used by the prediction algorithm,
• determining the prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line by using the adapted prediction algorithm.

[0012] The prediction parameters may include at least one of a noise level, a physical characteristic of the second telecommunication line, a theoretical model and a modem property.

[0013] The prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line may also be determined in function of a category of the second telecommunication line.

[0014] Embodiments also relate to a computer program comprising instructions for performing the method mentioned before when said instructions are executed by a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by referring to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an telecommunication network comprising a prediction device for predicting the attainable bitrate of telecommunication lines,

Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method executed by the prediction device of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a structural view of the prediction device of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Figure 1 is a partial view of telecommunication network 1. The telecommunication network 1 comprises a prediction device 2, a plurality of access nodes 3, a plurality of customer premises equipments 4 and a plurality of telecommunication lines 5 connecting respective customer premises equipments 4 to one of the access nodes 3.

[0017] An access node 3 and a customer premises equipments 4 use a DSL technology for communication over the telecommunication line 5. For example, the access node 3 is or comprise a DSLAM and the customer premises equipments 4 is or comprise a user's DSL modem. We consider a case wherein the operator of the telecommunication network 1 plans to upgrade at least some of the telecommunication lines 5 from an origin DSL technology to a target DSL technology (for example from ADSL2 to VDSL2).

[0018] The prediction device 2 is capable of communicating with the access nodes 3 and/or the customer premises equipments 4 for obtaining operational parameters related to the telecommunications lines 5. For example, the access nodes 3 and/or the customer premises equipments 4 regularly report operational parameters to the prediction device 2 and/or send the operational parameters in response to a request from the prediction device 2. Before upgrading a telecommunication line 5 from the origin DSL technology to the target DSL technology, the prediction device 2 determines a prediction of the attainable bitrate on the telecommunication line 5 with the target DSL technology, in function of the obtained operational parameters. The prediction method is described in more details with reference to Figure 2. The prediction is based on a prediction algorithm or tool, referred to as "Upgrade Predictor", which determines a predicted value of the attainable bitrate on the telecommunication line 5 with the target DSL technology.

[0019] The prediction device 2 may be a network analyzer which, in addition to the prediction function mentioned before, performs other monitoring and/or troubleshooting tasks related to the access nodes 3, customer premises equipments 4 and telecommunication lines 5.

[0020] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for predicting the attainable bitrates on telecommunication lines 5, executed by the prediction device 2. Groups of telecommunication lines 5 are successively upgraded from the origin DSL technology to the target DSL technology. For example, one group of telecommunication lines 5 is upgraded each day. By comparing the predicted attainable bitrates of the telecommunication lines 5 of a group, determined before the upgrade is performed, with the attainable bitrates measured after the upgrade has been performed, the prediction for the next group of telecommunication lines 5 may be improved.

[0021] Hereafter, index i refers to the successive groups of telecommunication lines 5 (initialized at i = 0 at step S0), and index i refer to the respective telecommunication lines 5 of a group. L_ij denotes the line j of group i.

[0022] Before the group i is upgraded from the origin DSL technology to the target DSL technology, the prediction device 2 obtains operational parameters OP_ij for the respective lines L_ij (step Sl). The operational parameters OP_ij specify the quality and performance of the transmission on the line L_ij, and include for example actual bitrate, output power, actual noise margin, actual INP, actual delay, loop attenuation, electrical length, some profile parameters (i.e band plan, maximum frequency, upstream power back-off parameters, downstream power-back-off parameters,...).

[0023] Then, the prediction device 2 determines predictions PredBR_ij of the attainable bitrate on the respective lines L_ij with the target DSL technology (Step S2). The prediction PredBR_ij for line L_ij depends on the operational parameters OP_ij and of prediction parameters PP_i. The prediction parameters PP_i specify assumptions about the environment of the telecommunication lines 5 (noise level, physical characteristics of the line, theoretical models, modem properties...) and may be referred as "expert settings". Various known techniques, including a tool called "Upgrade Predictor", exist for predicting an attainable bitrate in function of operational parameters and of prediction parameters (experts settings). The upgrade predictor uses the collected operational parameters to estimates the carrier data (i.e transfer function, SNR, QLN (Quiet Line Noise), PSD..) and to provide an estimated bitrate.

[0024] Moreover, the prediction PredBR_ij depends also on a correction COR_i. Initially (i=0), the correction COR_i does not influence the determination of the prediction PredBR_ij by the upgrade predictor. For successive groups i > 0, the correction COR_i and its influence on the output of the upgrade predictor will be described in more detail hereafter.

[0025] After the group i has been upgraded from the origin DSL technology to the target DSL technology, the prediction device 2 obtains the attainable bitrates BR_ij measures for the respective lines L_ij (step S3).

[0026] When the next group of telecommunication lines 5 is considered (index i is incremented at step S4), the prediction device 2 determines the correction COR_i for the current group i in function of the predictions PredBR_(i-l)i and the measured attainable bitrates BR_(i-l)i of the previous group i-1 (step S5). When steps Sl and S2 are repeated for the current group i, the correction COR_i influence the determination of the predictions PredBR_ij by the upgrade predictor. In other words, the prediction PredBR_ij is determined in function of the operational parameters OP_ij, of prediction parameters PP_i and of the predictions PredBR_(i-l)i and the measured attainable bitrates BR_(i-l)i of the previous group i-1.

[0027] Various techniques may be used for determining the correction COR_i at step S5 and taking the correction COR_i into account when determining a prediction PredBR_ij at step S2.

[0028] For example, in an embodiment, the correction COR_i depends on the mean error between the predictions PredBR_(i-l)i and the measured attainable bitrates BR_(i-l)i for the lines L_(i-l)i. At step S2, the prediction device 2 first determines an estimate of the predictions PredBR_ij by applying the upgrade predictor with the operational parameters OP_ij and the prediction parameters PP_i. Then, the prediction device 2 determines the predictions PredBR_ij by substracting the correction COR_i from the output of the upgrade predictor. A similar approach may be based on a correction COR_i in terms of mean relative error (in %).

[0029] In another embodiment, at step 2, the prediction device 2 first adapts a prediction algorithm or tool (for example the upgrade predictor) in function of the correction COR_i. For example, the prediction device 2 change the value of one or more prediction parameters PP_i used by the upgrade predictor. Then, the prediction device 2 determines the predictions PredBR_ij by applying the adapted prediction algorithm.

[0030] The order of steps shown on Figure 2 is given as an example. However, other order may be applied. For example, the operational parameters OP_ij for the group i may be obtained before obtaining the measured attanaible bitrate BR_(i-l)i of the previous group i-1.

[0031] Since the predictions for a group of telecommunication lines 5 take into account a correction factor determined by comparing the predicted and measured attainable bitrates for a previous group of telecommunication lines 5, the quality of the prediction may be improved. This may be iterated for successive groups of telecommunication lines 5, such that the prediction will be more reliable and the upgrade predictor will be more robust.

[0032] In one embodiment, the telecommunication lines 5 to be upgraded are classified in different categories, based for example on the type of customer premises equipments 4. The prediction method may be applied independently for each category of line. Accordingly, respective systematic bias introduced on respective categories of telecommunication lines 5, for example by respective types of customer premises equipments, may be cancelled independently. In practice, this mean that corrections COR_i may be determined and applied for the respective categories.

[0033] In some embodiments, determining a prediction PredBR_ij at step S2 may comprise determining a plurality of estimates at successive times, for example one estimate by day, and determining the prediction PredBR_ij in function of the last N estimates. In this case, if one or more operational parameters are badly reported for one of the estimate, or an estimate is not available for a given day for any reason, the prediction PredBR_ij may be corrected by the aggregation of several estimates.

[0034] Figure 3 is a structural view of the prediction device 2, which comprises a processor 6 and a memory 7. The memory 7 stores a computer program P which, when executed by the processor 6, cause the prediction device 2 to execute method described above with reference to Figure 2.

[0035] It is to be remarked that the functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared, for example in a cloud computing architecture. Moreover, explicit use of the term "processor" should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non volatile storage. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the implementer as more specifically understood from the context.

[0036] It should be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts represents various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

[0037] Embodiments of the method can be performed by means of dedicated hardware and/of software or any combination of both.

[0038] While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Method for determining a prediction (PredBR_ij) of an attainable bitrate on at least one second telecommunication line (5), executed by a prediction device (2), comprising:

- obtaining (Sl) operational parameters (OP_ij) of at least one first telecommunication line (5) while the first telecommunication line (5) is used with an origin Digital Subscriber Line technology, and

- determining (S2) a prediction (PredBR_ij) of the attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line (5) with a target Digital Subscriber line technology, in function of the operational parameters (OP_ij) of the least one first telecommunication line,

- after the first telecommunication line (5) has been upgraded from the origin Digital Subscriber line technology to the target Digital Subscriber line technology, obtaining (S3) a measure of the attainable bitrate (BR_ij) of the at least one first telecommunication line (5),

- obtaining (Sl) operational parameters (OP_ij) of at least one second telecommunication line (5) while the second telecommunication line (5) is used with the origin Digital Subscriber Line technology,

- determining (S2) a prediction (PredBR_ij) of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line (5) with the target Digital Subscriber Line technology, in function of the operational parameters (OP_ij) of the least one second telecommunication line (5) and of the prediction (PredBR_(i-l)i) of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate (BR_(i-l)i) of the at least one first telecommunication line (5).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the operational parameters (OP_ij) include at least one of an actual bitrate, an output power, an actual noise margin, an actual impulse noise protection, an actual delay, a loop attenuation, an electrical length, a band plan, a maximum frequency, an upstream power back-off parameter, a downstream power-back-off parameter.

3. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, comprising iterating the step of determining (S2) a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line for successive groups of at least one telecommunication line.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein determining (S2) a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line comprises:

- determining (S5) a correction (COR_i) in function of the difference between the prediction of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line,

- determining an estimate of prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line,

- substracting the correction from the estimate.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein determining (S2) a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line comprises:

- adapting a prediction algorithm in function the prediction of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line, by changing at least one prediction parameter used by the prediction algorithm,

- determining the prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line by using the adapted prediction algorithm.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the prediction parameters include at least one of a noise level, a physical characteristic of the second telecommunication line, a theoretical model and a modem property.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line is determined also in function of a category of the second telecommunication line.

8. Computer program (P) comprising instructions for performing the method of one of claims 1 to 7 when said instructions are executed by a computer.

9. Prediction device (2) for determining a prediction (PredBR_ij) of an attainable bitrate on at least one second telecommunication line (5), comprising:

- means (6, 7, P) for obtaining operational parameters (OP_ij) of at least one first telecommunication line (5) while the first telecommunication line (5) is used with an origin Digital Subscriber Line technology, and

- means (6, 7, P) for determining a prediction (PredBR_ij) of the attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line (5) with a target Digital Subscriber line technology, in function of the operational parameters (OP_ij) of the least one first telecommunication line,

- means (6, 7, P) for obtaining a measure of the attainable bitrate (BR_ij) of the at least one first telecommunication line (5) after the first telecommunication line (5) has been upgraded from the origin Digital Subscriber line technology to the target Digital Subscriber line technology,

- means (6, 7, P) for obtaining operational parameters (OP_ij) of at least one second telecommunication line (5) while the second telecommunication line (5) is used with the origin Digital Subscriber Line technology,

- means (6, 7, P) for determining a prediction (PredBR_ij) of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line (5) with the target Digital Subscriber Line technology, in function of the operational parameters (OP_ij) of the least one second telecommunication line (5) and of the prediction (PredBR_(i-l)i) of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate (BR_(i-l)i) of the at least one first telecommunication line (5).

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. Method for determining a prediction (PredBR_ij) of an attainable bitrate on at least one second telecommunication line (5), executed by a prediction device (2), comprising:

- obtaining (S1) operational parameters (OP_ij) of at least one first telecommunication line (5) while the first telecommunication line (5) is used with an origin Digital Subscriber Line technology, and

- obtaining (S1) operational parameters (OP_ij) of at least one second telecommunication line (5) while the second telecommunication line (5) is used with the origin Digital Subscriber Line technology,- determining (S2) a prediction (PredBR_ij) of the attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line (5) with a target Digital Subscriber line technology, in function of the operational parameters (OP_ij) of the least one first telecommunication line,

characterized in that it comprises

- after the first telecommunication line (5) has been upgraded from the origin Digital Subscriber line technology to the target Digital Subscriber line technology, obtaining (S3) a measure of the attainable bitrate (BR_ij) of the at least one first telecommunication line (5),

- determining (S2) a prediction (PredBR_ij) of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line (5) with the target Digital Subscriber Line technology, in function of the operational parameters (OP_ij) of the least one second telecommunication line (5) and of the prediction (PredBR_(i-1)j) of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate (BR_(i-1)j) of the at least one first telecommunication line (5).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the operational parameters (OP_ij) include at least one of an actual bitrate, an output power, an actual noise margin, an actual impulse noise protection, an actual delay, a loop attenuation, an electrical length, a band plan, a maximum frequency, an upstream power back-off parameter, a downstream power-back-off parameter.

3. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, comprising iterating the step of determining (S2) a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line for successive groups of at least one telecommunication line.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein determining (S2) a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line comprises:

- determining (S5) a correction (COR_i) in function of the difference between the prediction of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line,

- determining an estimate of prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line,

- substracting the correction from the estimate.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein determining (S2) a prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line comprises:

- adapting a prediction algorithm in function the prediction of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line, by changing at least one prediction parameter used by the prediction algorithm,

- determining the prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line by using the adapted prediction algorithm.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the prediction parameters include at least one of a noise level, a physical characteristic of the second telecommunication line, a theoretical model and a modem property.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the prediction of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line is determined also in function of a category of the second telecommunication line.

8. Computer program product (P) comprising instructions for performing the method of one of claims 1 to 7 when said instructions are executed by a computer.

9. Prediction device (2) for determining a prediction (PredBR_ij) of an attainable bitrate on at least one second telecommunication line (5), comprising:

- means (6, 7, P) adapted for obtaining operational parameters (OP_ij) of at least one first telecommunication line (5) while the first telecommunication line (5) is used with an origin Digital Subscriber Line technology, and

- means (6, 7, P) adapted for determining a prediction (PredBR_ij) of the attainable bitrate of the at least one first telecommunication line (5) with a target Digital Subscriber line technology, in function of the operational parameters (OP_ij) of the least one first telecommunication line,

- means (6, 7, P) adapted for obtaining operational parameters (OP_ij) of at least one second telecommunication line (5) while the second telecommunication line (5) is used with the origin Digital Subscriber Line technology,

characterized in that it comprises:

- means (6, 7, P) adapted for obtaining a measure of the attainable bitrate (BR_ij) of the at least one first telecommunication line (5) after the first telecommunication line (5) has been upgraded from the origin Digital Subscriber line technology to the target Digital Subscriber line technology,

- means (6, 7, P) adapted for determining a prediction (PredBR_ij) of the attainable bitrate of the at least one second telecommunication line (5) with the target Digital Subscriber Line technology, in function of the operational parameters (OP_ij) of the least one second telecommunication line (5) and of the prediction (PredBR_(i-1)j) of the attainable bitrate and the measured attainable bitrate (BR_(i-1)j) of the at least one first telecommunication line (5).

Drawing